I have been trying to slow my life down. I have been reading a lot, listening to audio books, taking long walks, watching movies, talking to my husband, and doing a lot of slow, hand-sewing. I have also, of course, been thinking about how we live, or rather how I live. I would prefer to think of my life as not frenetic, especially at my age. My body is telling me the same. I am trying to be a better listener.
The blouse I was going to collage with an assortment of lace pieces dictated something else. The linen in my hands was so sensuous and comforting that I fell in love all over again with its beauty, simplicity, and touch. I could not cover it with random pieces. It was a masterpiece on its own. The tactile quality and its gentle weight simply was perfect without any adornment. So I decided to add an older lace to the hemline. Sewing this on to the bottom was so comforting and peaceful that I felt justified in my decision to keep it simple.
Sam, my angel guardian, always near my side, had a look at my next project. It is also hand-pieced. I am finding a way to juxtapose my old trims with lovely old pieces of black lace on a denim background.
I incorporated a log cabin piece from an old quilt that I salvaged.
Some French knots and some Chinese trim always seem a little like a chinoiserie design.
But for natural beauty, there is nothing more inspiring than a tree peony blossom that recently graced my brother’s garden in San Francisco.
oh i have really enjoyed this post and the wonderful sumptuous fabrics and trim in your images. is the linen new or vintage? can’t wait to see it completely done. Pat
The linen was a piece I have had in my collection. I love beautiful linens, especially the handkerchief weight, although this one is a little more sturdy than that. It will be done soon, in the next week I am hoping, just in time for a late spring day when it is warm and sunny.
I’m hoping my tree peony blooms this year. It’s still young so I’ve only had one blossom. Looks like you have some very beautiful projects coming along.
I love your sewing projects. I too just finished a small art quilt that was completely hand sewn and I experienced some very interesting mental ah-ha’s because of the slow hand work. Can’t wait to see the linen blouse completed. Your lace is lovely. I have a skirt sewing project partly started, now it is stalled and I am pushing the fabric around on the work table to make room for other projects that took precedence. I don’t have the right vision yet for this garment. I hate it when this happens, but I just have to have faith that everything will sort itself out and come to completion in good time. I am walking a few more steps each day without my cane. I mean to use it, then I hang it up somewhere, forget it and trot off to do something and can’t remember where I put the dern thing! That has to be a good sign.
i like the patchworking of all the elements in time.
i love linen too. it has a special kind of weightiness even if it is very fine.
It sounds like a recipe for tranquility. I need a cup of it. The work is wonderful. I listen to audio books while I work but sometimes , when I have a knotty problem, I have to go back because I have lost big parts of the story. But the problems do get solved. What I like about the audio books is the variety that I get from the library.
I can see a lovely baby helped you. Give him a scratch for me.
Everything looks beautiful!
Stella xx
How comforting to read your post and see your fabrics, so very tactile, beautiful and useful, it is just wonderful to work with one’s own hands and create something unique. Glad to hear you are enjoying your ‘slow time’ and would encourage you to continue down this path of reflective, quiet industry and relationships.
I love audio books in the car driving around the Buckinghamshire countryside – recently enjoyed John LeCarre. At present reading Anne Michaels “The Winter Vault” just as brilliant as “Fugitive Pieces” every line is a poem. Have you read her? If not, you must! Much lovex
Can’t wait to see the linen blouse in completed.
Oh, I was so happy to find this post of yours! It is so full of rich colors and an interior tranquility. Your kitty just melts right into the colors, all that lush golden fur!! I recently wrote a long-overdue letter to my college roommates ~ they want a real handwritten letter, and forcing myself to slow down and write by hand felt like sewing a long slow seam by hand. It felt very peaceful, just the way your post has made me feel! xo Kari
I am reaaly in love with your wonderful denim patchwork, it is so beautiful with the salvaged quilt pieces, the pieced and patched denims, I especially like the incororation of the belt loops. It made me wish for a gypsy-style skirt made in the same way. The colours are all so evocative, gently faded over time, it gave me a real feeling of peace and serenity looking at the photos, and I was able to understand what you mean about slowing down the pace of life, thinking more, listening more. Such an important ethos in our oh so busy world. thank you for inspiring me yet again. xxx
To me it feels like a gift to be able to slow down and quietly stitch, have a cup of tea, read a book, etc.
The fabric combination is lovely and so is your little “guardian angel”
I sense a gentle peace from your words and photos…
very nice !
: )